With more business opportunities opening up and the growing number of startups in the region, officers and staff of DTI Region 2 met with the officials of Isabela State University-Technology Business Incubation (ISU-TBI) Echague on 23 February 2022 to discuss possible areas of collaborations and align the programs and projects of DTI and the incubation center to nurture startups and provide them holistic interventions to fully optimize their capacity as economic drivers.

DTI R2 is optimistic that the institution will be one of the agency’s strongest allies in advancing the growth of agri-based industries and in increasing the competitiveness of food products through incubation, research and development, and product development including process improvement.

Among the matters discussed are the incubation services of ISU-TBI focused on livestock slaughter house and processing and other food industries, as well as their technical assistance in patent registrations, business improvement and product standards.

DTI committed to promote the incubation programs of TBI and other incubation centers in the region through its Regional Trade and Investment Fair. The agency will also look at sustaining the growth of successful incubatees through its mentoring program- Kapatid Mentor Me and also to facilitate incubation of assisted clients under the Negosyo Center.

DTI R2 and ISU-TBI will look into more innovations in developing MSMEs and startups and will strategize more plans and actions to jumpstart the initiative.

In attendance during the visit were DC Ramil Garcia, OIC-DC Randolph Cacacho, ADC Michael Paggabao, STIDS Desiree Angolluan, STIDS Ragel Tacazon, and Dr. Jonathan Nayga from ISU-TBI and Dr. Mylene Raymundo from Cagayan Valley Cacao Center.  ♦

Date of Release: 25 March 2022